Chinatown Westlake Opens May 1

Posted by on Apr 30, 2020 in News, Openings

Chinatown, one of Austin’s longest running restaurant success stories, is opening at 25% capacity at the Westlake location on Bee Caves. Founder and owner Ronald Cheng called me with the news. They’ll have the same regular hours. Tables will be spaced and health protocols will be practiced by all servers and kitchen staff. My wife […]

The Creamy Pepper Soup at The Pizza Cave: Absolutely A Must Try!

Posted by on Apr 29, 2020 in Dripping Springs, Italian, Pizza

Fantastic soup at a pizza joint? Welcome to The Pizza Cave on Hwy 290 West in Dripping Springs. Owner Joe Cave makes this creamy pepper soup and it’s his personal passion. He uses jalapeño and bell peppers, removing the seeds and internal membranes to reduce the heat while retaining the flavors. Add some heavy cream […]

Local Restaurants Weighing Decisions to Open May 1st

Posted by on Apr 29, 2020 in News, Openings

While there are unquestionably many Austin diners who are looking forward to sitting down in a restaurant and enjoying a meal, Governor Abbott’s May 1st reopening option has not been immediately embraced by all Austin restaurants. Some (like downtown steakhouse favorite III Forks) after careful consideration have scheduled openings May 1st while others (like all […]

III Forks to Reopen May 1st Under Latest Abbott Ruling

Posted by on Apr 28, 2020 in Uncategorized

I’ve heard from the folks at III Forks and they already have 80 reservations on the books for Friday night. Talk about pent-up demand! Luckily for them, they have enough square footage to comfortably handle that number and stay within the 25 percent capacity range. Of course gloves and masks will be mandatory, as will […]

What’s in Store if Austin Restaurants Reopen?

Posted by on Apr 21, 2020 in News

Mixed emotions here. As much of a restaurant fan as I am, the possibility of a “partial reopening of restaurants” is fraught with potential problems. To begin with, restaurants (assuming they actually have the cash on hand for a full reopening) face many logistical challenges. There has been discussion that before customers are seated, they’d […]

Takeout Orders You May Have Overlooked

Posted by on Apr 9, 2020 in Barbecue, Takeout, To-go

PoK-e-Jo’s has a long standing as one of Austin’s more popular locally owned and operated restaurants. But in this era where takeout and delivery have become critical options, there is one thing people may be overlooking when placing an order from PoK-e-Jo’s: in addition to their tasty variety of smoked meats and fowl, they probably […]

The Current Takeout Dilemma: Which Orders Travel Best?

Posted by on Apr 8, 2020 in Delivery, Takeout, To-go

I’ve gotten a lot of email from readers asking for my opinion on which meals travel best with regard to retaining texture, taste, and overall continuity. Here are my thoughts on the subject, broken down by category. TEX MEXThis category can be dicey. I love nachos, but they typically arrive much too moist and devoid […]

The League Kitchen & Tavern is “Primed” for Easter Sunday Takeout

Posted by on Apr 7, 2020 in Dripping Springs, Holiday Dining, Takeout

Ever since The League Kitchen and Tavern First Opened in Lakeway, I have been a fan of their upscale comfort food concept. Their expansion to locations in Belterra Village near Dripping Springs and Avery Ranch did not dilute their distinctive quality in the least. So when they roll out this Easter Sunday takeout menu, rest assured […]

The Gift of Giving: Chinatown Restaurants Pay it Forward

Posted by on Apr 7, 2020 in Giving Back, News

In the Austin restaurant community, through good times and bad, there have always been owners who put needy people ahead of profits: people like Ronald Cheng (pictured above) and Hoover Alexander, stand-up guys who epitomize how great restaurants give back not only to their customers but to all people of need in the Austin community. […]

III Forks to Offer Gourmet Easter Takeout Menu

Posted by on Apr 6, 2020 in Holiday Dining, Takeout

At this time it’s more important than ever that we focus on days like Easter, when a celebration can be enjoyed by those families who, like most of us, are self distancing. III Forks has prepared prepared the above menu for takeout in a safe and totally clean environment. Call (512) 474-1776 to reserve yours […]

Scenes We’ll Hopefully See Again Soon: the Beef Ribs at It’s All Good BBQ in Spicewood

Posted by on Apr 2, 2020 in Barbecue, News, Takeout

Things have become vastly and tragically different in the Austin area lately due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Simple thoughts that we took for granted like “let’s have lunch” have become memories. But in the presence of all the mandated social distancing and health worries, local restaurants have stepped up to provide safe and health-conscious takeout […]

Pizzaiolo Joe Cave Breaks out his Favorite Soup Recipes at The Pizza Cave

Posted by on Apr 1, 2020 in Italian, Takeout

Joe Cave of The Pizza Cave is a pizza maker at heart. But he is also a compassionate and caring man. So, in times like these who could argue with a little Italian penicillin? Many would agree that soups have always had curative (whether physical or psychological) powers. Since Joe’s scaled back on his pasta […]

The Stark Reality for Some of Our Less Fortunate Local Restaurants

Posted by on Mar 31, 2020 in Closings, News

This letter and announcements like it that I’ve gotten from local restaurants tear at the heart strings. God bless them and here’s hoping that they can reopen soon!

Local Restaurants Like Rudy’s Bar-B-Q Adapt by Adding Groceries to Their Takeout Service

Posted by on Mar 31, 2020 in News, Takeout

When I called in my order to Rudy’s Country Store & Bar-B-Q on 360 in Westlake on Sunday, they asked if I needed anything else. Somewhat surprised, I asked what that “something else” might be. I was told they had eggs, milk, cheese, butter, vegetables, red potatoes, bread, paper towels, chocolate bars, and a variety […]

Craving Pizza & Italian Food on the 290 Corridor? The Pizza Cave is Offering Takeout!

Posted by on Mar 31, 2020 in Italian, News, Pizza

The Pizza Cave was among the top ten best pizza spots in Austin in our recent Pizza Wars article. But they also have an extensive Italian food menu ranging from baked ziti to lasagna, eggplant Parmesan, and the classic spaghetti and meatballs. (The meatballs alone are worth the trip.) And by all means don’t forget […]

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